Charles bullock halstead



z of the band.

@UNITED l STATES 4'PATENT OFFTCE.

CHARLES BULLOCK HALSTEAD, OF HUMBOLDT, KANSAS.

HAT.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 567,234, dated September 8, 17896.

- ippiicaiontl'eafmmh 7,1896, semi No. 582,260. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: Y

Be it 'known that I, CHARLESV BULLocK HALSTEAD, of Humboldt, in the county of' Allen and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hats; andI do hereby declare that the fol `lowing is a full, clear, and exact description neck, be a good protection against sunstroke,

and admit of free circulation of air all around the'head; and the special construction will appear in the following specification.

Figure l illustrates a longitudinal section of a hat made according to my invention; Fig. 2, a cross-section; Fig. 3, an under side view or plan and Fig. 4,-a detail, enlarged, showing one means for adjusting the length That portion of the structure which comes in contact with the head consists of a leather band A, which is provided with several, say

four, short leather standards B. The upper end of each of these standards is connected to a woven-Wire frame C,which has substantially also a ready escape for any heat of the head.'

the form of half'an egg-shell cut lengthwise,

the under edges of this semioval being somewhat curved inward, as shown, and the 'narrower end being` at the rear. This frame on all sides, as also at its top, stands far off from the head and from the band A, being about twice or more the circumference of the band, and thus leaves ample clear air-space all around the head, and aifording a free circulation for breezes from any direction, and

face and the back of the neck. The standards B may be fastened to the frame C by stitching, or by clamps or rivets, or any convenient means,and may be stitched,clamped, or riveted to the leatherband A. The frame -I cover with any desired muslin, cloth, silk,

or other suitable material which will serve to Y screen from the sun or protect from rain, snow, 5o. The frame may be of common Wire gauze or netting, of any degree of open mesh, or of galvanized wire. Aluminium I also nd very desirable on account of its lightness and non-liability to rust or corrode. This covering over the wire-gauze also covers and protects the ends of wire ofthe under edge of this frame, and it is secured there by stitching or otherwise; and thus it prevents the spreading or separating of such ends and holds the meshes of the wire frame in place.

Another important feature of my invention is that its construction is such that any one hat is adapted to be fitted to any size of head. This is effected as follows: The band A is not endless, but has its two ends connected so as to permit its being let out or shortened up, as may be needed. This may be effected in various ways, but by way of illustration I have shown the band as having a series of holes a d at one end and a small bolt and nut a2 on-its other end. This permits the bolt to be engaged with any one of the holes, as desired. It will be'evident that other and equivalent means may be used, as, for instance, a hook on one end of the band and a series of eyes, eyelets, or holes on the other end, or by means of a slanting or cross slot in one end and a hook at thepother end, which, on being inserted in such slot and turned part way around, will make a good fastening.

The hat has no brim and needs none.

It will be observed that there is absolutely free, open, uninterrupted space all around the head, betweenit and the frame, the body Vof this frame serving to perform in a measure the duty of a sun-um brella, but supported by the head instead of the hands. It will also be seen that the mesh of Wire-gauze permits' of sheet-gauze being pressed to the ultimate ICO oval shape required, and without any seams,

irregularities, or doubling up, and that the' bending up lof its raw edge serves also to give the frame a strong selvage in addition to the reinforcing which it also acquires from the securing of the covering around such bent or npturncd edge.

I make no claim, broadly, for the niere usc of wire-gauze in the fabrication of a hat, and I ain also aware that sheet metal has been used for hat-bodies; but,

What I claim is- The described Ventilating hat7 having in combination the following features,na1nely: the brimless, wire-gauze body having substantially the form as set forth, and of a size to extend above the head and to stand off from it in every direction, and vhaving short leather standards pendent from suoli ganze, an ad- CHARLES BULLOCK HALSTEAD.

NVlnnesses:

HARRY S. RoHEN,

WALLACE GREENE. 

